Anchorage Assembly designates Sept. 20 as LGBTQ Veterans Day

The Anchorage Assembly has designated Sept. 20 as LGBTQ Veterans Day, marking the date in 2011 that the military ended "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," the policy that forced out service members who were openly gay. Assembly Chair Anna Brawley sponsored the resolution, joined by Mayor Suzanne LaFrance and two other members.

More than 13,000 troops were discharged under the policy, according to Lambda Legal. The resolution says LGBTQIA+ residents have served in every generation and encourages Anchorage to observe the day. It carries no funding.

Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon has introduced similar resolutions in Congress, calling LGBTQ+ service members "an integral part of the fabric of our armed forces." His office puts the number discharged over sexual orientation or gender identity, across a longer history, at more than 100,000.